Friend and Family of Joe Morris Mourn Loss of a Lewes Icon

Joe Morris posing with a grouper caught on the Reel Magic III last year (Source: Donna Floyd)

LEWES, Del. - For those who visit the Lewes Marina, Joe Morris was more than just a regular face. He was an icon. Along with his wife, he was the co-owner of the Lewes Harbour Marina for decades. But this week, the 57-year-old lost his life after a four month battle with pancreatic cancer.

"It's been very hard..." said Donna Floyd, a friend and colleague of Morris. "He was a dear friend to me and to everyone in here. And to many of the people who knew him through fishing."

Morris had a deep passion for the water, and was known to be one of the most knowledgeable fisherman in the area. Capt. Brian Wazlavek, from Delaware Family Fishing, said that he learned invaluable lessons from Morris.

"He was one of the pillars of the community," he said. "Everyone looked up to him. At least everyone in the fishing world looked up to him."

Floyd said that his love for fishing was only matched by his compassion and helpfulness.

"He was always ready to jump out and help someone," she said. "He was kind and quick with information. And he was so excited when a little kid would be ready to buy his first lure or fishing rod."

Next door at the Anglers Fishing Center, there was a similar level of sadness from Capt. Ted Moulimier.

"Things are not going to be the same anymore," he said. "Not the way things were when he was here. He was a great wealth of knowledge. And if you needed something, he'd have it the next day. And it's just not going to be that way anymore."

The family already had Morris' body cremated. Colleagues said there will be a public ceremony at the marina in a couple of weeks.

"It's a heavy loss," said Wazlavek. "And there's a lot of heavy hearts. He was taken too soon."

A couple in Wyoming, Delaware is opening up their home to the community to help them get into the holiday spirit.

James and Ronicca Teagle have been decorating their home for the last 15 years. Each year they welcome tours through every room of their home and give back to a special Delmarva charity. This year the Teagles are giving back to Bless Our Children.

A couple in Wyoming, Delaware is opening up their home to the community to help them get into the holiday spirit.

James and Ronicca Teagle have been decorating their home for the last 15 years. Each year they welcome tours through every room of their home and give back to a special Delmarva charity. This year the Teagles are giving back to Bless Our Children.